Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Tomas Hyka appeared in two games at the U20 level for BK Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic and was the leading scorer for the club's U18 squad. He also played for the Czech team at the 2010 U17 World Hockey Challenge. He had 1 assist in two games with BK Mlada U20. Hyka was the fifth-leading scorer amongst all players in the Czech U18 league; scoring 34 goals with 24 assists and had 46 penalty minutes in 37 games. He had 1 goal and 1 assist in two playoff games. Hyka scored one goal in five games at the WHC, where the Czechs finished eighth in the 10-team tournament.

2010-11: Hyka made his debut in the Czech Extraliga, appearing in 13 games with BK Mlada Boleslav, and skated for the club's U20 and U18 clubs. He represented the Czech Republic at the 2011 U18 World Junior Championship. Hyka scored 1 goal and was minus-eight with 6 penalty minutes. He skated in one relegation game as last-place BK Mlada avoided demotion to the second division and was minus-one. Hyka was the third-leading scorer for Mlada Boleslav U20 despite appearing in only 38 games; scoring 14 goals and 17 assists. He was plus-seven with 10 penalty minutes. In eight U18 games with Mlada Boleslav he scored 3 goals with 9 assists and was plus-six with 6 penalty minutes. In six games for eighth-place Czech Republic at the U18 WJC he scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was minus-two. Hyka was selected by Gatineau (QMJHL) in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2011 CHL Import Draft.

2011-12: Hyka was the leading scorer for Gatineau after some impressive play in the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp and represented the Czech Republic at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. In 50 games he scored 20 goals with 44 assists and was plus-14 with 30 penalty minutes. After finishing fourth in the West Division the Olympiques were swept in the first round of the playoffs. In four playoff games Hyka scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was minus-five. He played in five of six games for the fifth-place Czech squad at the WJC and was minus-one with 2 assists and 4 penalty minutes. Hyka was invited to the NHL Draft Combine and ranked 45th amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft.

2012-13: Hyka returned to Gatineau for his second season in the QMJHL and played for the Czech Republic in the 2013 World Junior Championship. Missing time early in the season after crashing into the boards, he played 49 games for the Olympiques and was the team's second-leading scorer with 20 goals and 34 assists; finishing +9 with 24 penalty minutes. Gatineau reached the playoffs after finishing fifth in the West Division and upset Rimouski in the first round before falling to Memorial Cup champion Halifax. Hyka scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was -4 with 8 penalty minutes in 10 playoff games. He scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was an even plus/minus in six games for the Czech Republic at the WJC.

Talent Analysis

A skilled speedster who was passed over in the 2011 NHL Entry draft, Hyka was likely passed over because of his lack of size and strength. He proved his doubters wrong with an impressive rookie campaign in the QMJHL, even though he spent his fair share of the season sitting out with injury. A dynamic offensive talent, Hyka has great hands to go along with his quick legs.

Future

Hyka played his last eligible season in the CHL in 2012-13 and recently signed a two-month tryout agreement with Färjestad of the SHL. Despite being eligible for the AHL, Hyka looks like he has opted to go to Sweden. Either way he will be playing against grown men now and his development along with his attitude towards returning to North American hockey will be closely monitored. If he does come back to the AHL however he should have a spot considering how thin the Monarchs roster currently is.

Photo: Senior Michael Mersch, who led Wisconsin with 22 goals during the 2013-14 regular season, scored both Badger goals in their semifinal win over Penn State in the Big Ten tournament (courtesy of Dan Sanger/Icon SMI)

In recent years, the Los Angeles Kings have grown into one of the better organizations at scouting and recruiting in the NCAA. Despite losing highly regarded forward Hudson Fasching to the Buffalo Sabres via trade, they still boast an incredibly deep and talented group of NCAA prospects.

Photo: Reigning top prospect Tyler Toffoli was named Rookie of the Year in the AHL before he stepped up with an excellent playoff performance for the Kings (courtesy of Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

The Los Angeles Kings did not have much time after a conference finals exit at the hands of the Blackhawks to ready themselves for the 2013 NHL Draft. Nonetheless the Kings managed to pick up several quality players, including what was widely considered the steal of the draft in Valentin Zykov.

Photo: Martin Jones won his last six starts of the regular season to clinch a playoff berth for the Monarchs, but not even his strong play could help the team overcome the Springfield Falcons in the first round of the AHL playoffs (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

The prospect pool of the Los Angeles Kings saw varying amounts of playoff game time this year, but one of the more important points is that the majority of them did in fact see the postseason. Over twenty-five skaters for the Kings saw playoff action across multiple levels.